We had a couple about for a few weeks in the spring. Never seen them in our garden before so it was a bit of a treat, I'd like to think my pest control strategy had something to do with it but realistically I suspect they were just passing through

The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool

I ride the trans Pennine way from Wath upon Dearne to Wakefield on a regular basis and see quite a lot, they seem to be getting a little more common every passing year- to my delight. I think they are the prettiest British bird.